It’s not a secret anymore that English is an important language to learn due to its role as an international language. It serves as a link or communication tool for people from various countries. But the focus on language education in the 21st century is no longer on grammar, memorization, and learning from rote, but rather utilizing language and cultural understanding as a means to interact and connect to others around the world [1]. researchers suggest that games may be the most appropriate approach for acquiring the grammar of a second language [2]. The importance of enhancing student engagement in education is especially critical in language learning environments. As English continues to be the lingua franca of globalization, ensuring proficiency in English from an early age has become a priority for educational institutions around the world [3]. Gamification can be a powerful solution to address motivational problems within learning or working contexts, as long as they are well designed and are built upon well-established implementation models [4]. In more detail gamification is a concept which uses game based mechanics, aesthetics and thinking game to engage people, motivate actions, promote learning and solve problems [5]. Gamification involves incorporating game elements and mechanics into non-game activities, creating a more interactive and enjoyable learning experience [6]. From several studies above, it can be concluded that gamification can be a media to help the learning process become more interactive

The main focus in creating this board game is to improve students' understanding of Simple Present, Present Continuous Tense, Simple Past, Past Continuous, and Simple Future. These 5 tenses were chosen because they are the basis of English grammar structures that are not only often used in daily conversation, but are also clearly used for learning in Merdeka Curriculum English textbook for high school level. From a language and teaching view, the five tenses are the first grammar groups taught when learning English as a foreign language, because they are important for showing the meaning of time in sentences. Understanding Basic English Grammar is a basic foundation that will help someone compose sentences correctly and make it easier for someone to improve their writing and speaking skills [7]. This board is designed to make learning the five basic tenses more interesting, not only by focusing on the grammar itself, but by incorporating strategic thinking into every decision made during the game, all accompanied by the consequences that follow each move. This makes the learning process more enjoyable. As what Adipati said in his journal that Game-based learning is a method of obtaining new concepts and skills through the use of digital and non-digital games [8]. Specific game elements such as points, leaderboards, and interactive challenges were identified as particularly effective in enhancing motivation [9]. Gamification is a powerful tool for motivating learner engagement within educational environments [10]. Gamification techniques are being adopted to support learning in a variety of educational contexts and subject areas, but also to address transversal attitudes and behaviours such as collaboration, creativity, and self‐guided study [11]. Beyond engagement, gamification significantly enhances knowledge retention. Immediate feedback and rewards reinforce what students have learned, making it easier for them to remember and apply new information [12].

Lingua Leap Board Game is designed with bright and engaging visuals, consists of 16 squares in total where the first square serving as both the starting and finishing point which is continued with 4 Easy-level squares, followed by 4 Medium-level squares, and then 4 Hard-level squares, then there are 3 special challenge squares labeled “The Brave Leap” which are located in each corner of the board. The game board also comes with question cards categorized by difficulty level, playing piece, and toy money used as rewards for players. This instructional medium is particularly appropriate for upper secondary education within the Indonesian context, as it features question types that are culturally and pedagogically aligned with the national English language curriculum at that level.

A review of the literature shows that gamification is argued as an enjoyable, engaging, motivating, and successful way to learn a new language as a second/foreign language [13]. The increased engagement, game elements such as missions, levels and achievements can increase the interaction with users [14]. The usage of distinctions and rewards is a form of external motivator used to shape behavior and can be beneficial in education if utilized appropriately and in sufficient quantities [15]. Of all the research related to game elements, these following are the elements of the lingua leap game board: